Ashley Furniture HomeStore remains closed as ownership changes hands

Saturday

Jan 26, 2008 at 12:01 AM

Justin Willett

The showroom at Ashley Furniture HomeStore has been closed since Monday as the store prepares to change ownership, manager Paul Bacon said.

The 50,000-square-foot store at 5710 Bull Run Drive - off St. Charles Road just south of Interstate 70 at the Lake of the Woods Road exit - is owned by Ed Franks. He has not returned messages seeking comment.

"No paperwork has been signed with the prospective buyer, so we still need to keep the doors locked," Bacon said yesterday. He said the store would open "as soon as possible," but he could not estimate when that might be.

Some customers have reported that they have not received furniture they have paid for, but Bacon said deliveries are being made.

The Missouri Attorney Generalís Office has received 22 complaints, spokesman John Fougere said, and it is working with Arcadia, Wis.-based Ashley Furniture Industries and the local store to ensure that customers get their furniture or get a refund.